The Yin and Yang of the protein corona on the delivery journey of nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles-based drug delivery systems have attracted significant attention in biomedical fields because they can deliver loaded cargoes to the target site in a controlled manner. However, tremendous challenges must still be overcome to reach the expected targeting and therapeutic efficacy in vivo . These challenges mainly arise because the interaction between nanoparticles and biological systems is complex and dynamic and is influenced by the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and the heterogeneity of biological systems. Importantly, once the nanoparticles are injected into the blood, a protein corona will inevitably form on the surface. The protein corona creates a new biological identity which plays a vital role in mediating the bio-nano interaction and determining the ultimate results. Thus, it is essential to understand how the protein corona affects the delivery journey of nanoparticles in vivo and what we can do to exploit the protein corona for better delivery efficiency. In this review, we first summarize the fundamental impact of the protein corona on the delivery journey of nanoparticles. Next, we emphasize the strategies that have been developed for tailoring and exploiting the protein corona to improve the transportation behavior of nanoparticles in vivo . Finally, we highlight what we need to do as a next step towards better understanding and exploitation of the protein corona. We hope these insights into the “Yin and Yang” effect of the protein corona will have profound implications for understanding the role of the protein corona in a wide range of nanoparticles.

Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE), Life and Health

“…Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs), as a powerful platform for the controlled delivery of cargoes to the target site, have attracted considerable attention in biomedical fields. , For the delivery process, NDDSs should be able to (i) accumulate at the target site with prolonged circulation time after administration, (ii) attach to the cell membrane and enter the cell, and (iii) then undergo controlled release of the loaded cargoes under different stimuli-responsive mechanisms at the subcellular organelle. − Due to the high resolution and sensitivity, noninvasive fluorescent imaging is widely used as a first-line method for visualizing bio-nano interactions and dynamic transportation behavior. − Using a typical AIEgen TPE, the dynamic delivery and release process of two representative cargoes, small molecule drug doxorubicin (DOX) and nucleic acid, was spatiotemporally visualized. DOX was bound to the surface of the TPE NPs via electrostatic interactions, providing self-indicating TPE/DOX (TD) NPs.…”

Nanomedicines for Alzheimer's disease: Therapies based on pathological mechanisms

“…Although several studies have confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of these approaches, some challenges remain. These include (1) the elimination of the nanomedicines by the immune system during systemic circulation; (2) the interaction between the targeting ligand and serum proteins, which results in the formation of a protein corona complex and a loss of targeting capability [69] ; and (3) the non-specific expression of several target receptors and transport proteins, which results in drug accumulation within non-target tissues. Fortunately, these challenges are not insurmountable.…”

Inhibiting Osteolytic Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis by Bone‐Targeted Nanoagent via Remodeling the Bone Tumor Microenvironment Combined with NIR‐II Photothermal Therapy

“…From the TEM at different time points, it can also be seen that the edges of nanoparticles are gradually blurred and flocculent substances increased, which was due to the adsorption of various proteins from the serum by the nanoparticles to form an obvious protein corona layer. [37,38] However, the structure of nanoparticles is intact (Figure 1K). The stability experiments of CuP@PPy-ZOL NPs reveal that they can be further applied to biomedical applications in biological systems.…”